awu.net.au
Gove refinery should continue operation, according to AWU
Edited by : AL CIRCLE
2 min read
Pacific Aluminium's (Rio Tinto) Gove bauxite mine and alumina refinery are vital economic assets and critical parts of Australia's aluminium supply chain that must remain fully operational, according to The Australian Workers' Union (AWU).
Pacific Aluminium today announced it would conduct a review of the Gove operations, placing the future of the refinery under a cloud.
AWU National Secretary Paul Howes today said Rio Tinto was responding to short-term economic pressures when the long-term fundamentals for the aluminium sector were strong.
“The Australian aluminium sector has been built on our competitive advantages in the supply of bauxite and competitive energy.
“In recent years, however, the sector has been shaken by the perfect storm of low international prices and the sustained high value of Australian dollar.
“It’s vital that the sector maintains production through this difficult period.
“As a significant supplier of both the raw material bauxite, and the refined products alumina and alumina hydrate, Gove is a crucial piece of economic infrastructure for the whole sector.”
Paul Howes said the mine and refinery underpinned the entire economy of the East Arnhem Land region.
“The refinery employs round 1,500 people on Aboriginal land in Nhulunbuy – a town that only has a population of 3,800.
“Shutting down the refinery would decimate the regional economy and put hundreds, if not thousands of families in financial hardship.
“The social and economic implications of closing down the Gove operation would be extremely serious.
“It’s important that Rio works closely with the Territory and Federal governments, and with unions, to use this review process to secure the long-term viability of the operation.
“This should include the conversion of the refinery from crude oil to gas power, and measures to ensure that domestic manufacturers can have access to competitively prices natural gas.”
The AWU is currently seeking meetings with Rio Tinto and Federal and Territory Governments to work towards securing the future of the refinery.
Pacific Aluminium today announced it would conduct a review of the Gove operations, placing the future of the refinery under a cloud.
AWU National Secretary Paul Howes today said Rio Tinto was responding to short-term economic pressures when the long-term fundamentals for the aluminium sector were strong.
“The Australian aluminium sector has been built on our competitive advantages in the supply of bauxite and competitive energy.
“In recent years, however, the sector has been shaken by the perfect storm of low international prices and the sustained high value of Australian dollar.
“It’s vital that the sector maintains production through this difficult period.
“As a significant supplier of both the raw material bauxite, and the refined products alumina and alumina hydrate, Gove is a crucial piece of economic infrastructure for the whole sector.”
Paul Howes said the mine and refinery underpinned the entire economy of the East Arnhem Land region.
“The refinery employs round 1,500 people on Aboriginal land in Nhulunbuy – a town that only has a population of 3,800.
“Shutting down the refinery would decimate the regional economy and put hundreds, if not thousands of families in financial hardship.
“The social and economic implications of closing down the Gove operation would be extremely serious.
“It’s important that Rio works closely with the Territory and Federal governments, and with unions, to use this review process to secure the long-term viability of the operation.
“This should include the conversion of the refinery from crude oil to gas power, and measures to ensure that domestic manufacturers can have access to competitively prices natural gas.”
The AWU is currently seeking meetings with Rio Tinto and Federal and Territory Governments to work towards securing the future of the refinery.
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